Process for the deoxidation of molten metals or alloys



Patented Sept. 2, '1930 UNITED STATES enone masme; or BERLIN, GERMANY,

& THE-REIT CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK,

ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSTGNMEN'IS, T0 METAL N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY raocnss FOR ran nnoxrriarron or momma manners on annexe- Ko Drawing. Application filed March 1, 1928, Serial No. 258,436, and in Germany April 11, 1927.

As is well known almost all metals and alloys have a tendency when in the molten state to absorb oxygen and other gases, so that thephysical properties of a casting are generally speaking prejudicially affected thereby. It-is, consequently, necessary to use some so-called de-oxidizing means, such for example as phosphorus, magnesium and the like, These known additions, however, have all their disadvantages,'either because they deteriorate the electric properties or because they reduce the casting capabilities and cause oxidation and nitridisation, or finally because, their de-oxidizing action is insuflicient.

Now experiments have shownthat beryllium is an excellent de-oxidizing medium or the purpose in view. For the de-oxidization of copper for example, it is far superior to any Whereas for example a sand copper casting de-oxidized with phosphorus has an -electric conductive capacity of and less, it is possible, by the addition of 0.01 to 0.03 per cent of beryllium to secure an electric conducting power of about .53. The density or solidity of the casting is, by using the new process, perfect and far superior to that attained with phosphorus. In case of the de-oxidation of, nickel the use of beryllium is preferable to that of the otherwise usual combined additions of manganese and magnesium. An excess of magnesium deteriorates the properties orcharacteristics of the nickel, whereas this is not the case with beryllium, so that up to about 0.5 per cent thereof can be added. Hence, for example, it is not absolutely necessary to carry out the dc-oxidation of nickel in two stages. Furthermore beryllium-oxide, possesses better slagging properties than mag- -nesiumor even aluminium oxide and does not tend to the forming of pockets of oxide in the castings. 7

What has been said above regarding nickel is also applicable to its alloys. For other metals or alloys the new process can also be used in thesame sense or way. As a rule the addition of beryllium will not exceed 0.5 per cent. With the new process if deother de-oxidizing means, such as phossired t in addition to beryllium) other suit-- able additions can be used, such as lithium zfor example. 'If necessary the beryllium can be used in the form of an alloy for example in the case of copper or nickel. This beryllium alloy is comparatively rich in beryllium and may contain as high as 5 to 20% of beryllium. It will be understood that in this scavenging alloy the beryllium is alloyed with the metal, or with the alloy, or with one or more of the metals of the alloy, to which it is to be added to act as a deoxidant, or it may be alloyed with one or more other metals compatible with the metal to which it is .to be added.; The-use of the beryllium in the form of an alloy frequently has the advantage that the element is more easily introduced and dissolved in a metal or alloy than the pure element. The newv process can be employed in a suitable manner not only for these metals or alloys in which the harmful impurities are formed only when the said metals or alloys are melted (e'. gas a result of oxidation, as above described) but also'.

for such as already contain the impurity, as,

for example, sulfur-containing metals and What I claim as my invention and desire to be secured by Letters Patent is:

. '1. A process for Y the de-foxidation of a fusion of one of the heavier metals or its alloys, which comprises adding a comparatively small quantity of beryllium to such metal or alloy to act as a deoxidant.

2. A process for the de-oxidation of a fusion of one of the heavier metals or its alloys, which comprises adding beryllium to such metal or alloy in an amount not exceeding about 0.5 per cent.

' 3. A process for the de-oxidation of a fusion of one of. the heavier metals or its alloys, which comprises adding a'comgarative y small quantity of beryllium an another deoxidant to such metal or alloy.-

4. A process for the de-oxidation of a 5 fusion of one of the heavier metals or its alloys, which comprises adding a berylhum alloy to such metal or alloy.- I

5. The process as set forth in claim 1, wherein said metal is selected from the copper and nickel groups 6. A. process for the de-oxida'tion of a fusion of one "of the. heavier metals or its alloys, which comprises adding to suchmetal or alloy an alloy of beryllium with said metal or alloy.

7. The process as set forth in claim 6, wherein said metal is selected from the copper and nickel groups.

8. The process as set forth in claim 6,

wherein said metal is selected from the copper and nickel oups, and wherein the beryllium alloy is a ed in such quantity that the amount of beryllium in the fusion does not exceed about 0.5 .per cent.

9. In the de-oxidation and improvement of molten copper the rocess which comprises adding beryllium t ereto in quantities approximately suflicient to deoxidize the same.

In testimony whereof I aflix my si ature.

GEORG ING. 

